I go by the name of Joan and I am a recovered Panic disorder sufferer. I experienced chronic Anxiety for over 10 years and sometimes felt like I would never see the end, but I have recovered and have since trained as a counsellor to help others find their path to recovery. I've joined the forum in the hope that by sharing my experience and journey to recovery I can help others here. Questions are welcome,
I have been suffering from anxiety for only 2 years, and after slowly taking control of it I've decided I finally want to study and overcome my fears. I have thought about studying to become a counsellor to also help others, but I am worried my mind is still fragile and I was wondering what it has been like for you?
I my own case I did not begin to study until 3-4 years after my recovery. Recovery is a gradual thing and sometimes you think you've recovered but then something might cause a setback. If you still feel fragile perhaps visit a counsellor or therapist until you get a more firm footing. Certainly you can begin your studies and see how you go with it. You will know when you are ready. You'll feel it.
I only just signed up to a forum for the first time in my life because I guess I was feeling a little desperate and you're the first post I've seen. It's great to hear you have gone through this and survived. I started suffering from panic attacks when I was 19 but they seemed to disappear when I was around 22. It's now 13 years later and about 8 months ago these panic attacks decided to say hello to me again and flip my whole life upside down. My panic attacks are all health related worries, but now I have a severe fear of going crazy as well. I've been seeing a counsellor for a few years in which we do a lot of work on mindfulness and breathing and inner self, but now that doesn't seem to work so I've just had to take the plunge into medications. It's been 4 days now but I feel a bit drowsy and still anxious about side effects. I know you said medications didn't work for you, but I hope they do for me as my breathing and focusing techniques have seemed be ignored by my over active agitated brain. I feel a bit selfish as I have a fantastic family and friends and a beautiful, supportive girlfriend but that all seems to be irrelevant when I'm in a state of panic. Now I don't socialise as much anymore and avoid situations and see my friends less and less...Anyways I look forward to hearing about everyone elses experiences on this forum and how people managed to get there life back on track. Thank you.
Those last 4 steps - honesty, stop being perfect, courage and compassion - seem to be valid for ALL mental health. You can't be aware without those. I'm noticing there is a sub anxious category in the form of partners perception of mental health. Do you think it would be helpful to debate mindfulness from that perspective ?
Otherwise it seems to become "You're sick but I need sympathy" which sets of a bunch of anxious behaviour and leads to tit for tat dialouge of no help.
dear Joan, I have just come across your post, but welcome aboard, I'm sure your knowledge will be invaluable to many people suffering.
With this anxiety that you had did it involve OCD, and firstly how did you control it, and secondly if you did have it are there any tendencies still towards them.
Would it be unprofessional to end my comments my usual way, which I will have to wait and see. --- --- Geoff. --
dear Joan, I have sent another reply to you before this one, however point 11 interests me and maybe your answer to the first reply will tell me. Geoff.
Its so great to read your story... Im 33, and been suffering from GAD for a long time... my world came crashing down over the last 10 months where my anxiety attacks were becoming weekly to daily... I had been seeing a councillor and tried natural methods for 10 months... but my anxiety got worse and worse... I had supressed so much over my life - I hit breaking point.
Im now taking an antidepressant and for the first time in years I'm starting to rebuild my life and I have control... I know that its not the answer for everyone - but its working for me. Im able to think clear and able to see light at the end of the dark tunnel anxiety had created in my life... im hoping in this time I am able to continue healing, practise meditation and mindfulness and be able to control anxiety once and for all.... its great to see other people able to do it and it makes me more determined to be able to do the same. Im also hoping in a year or 2 to study mental health and/ or social science to help others!
